2020 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, particularly given the recent news surrounding the festive restrictions, but it has provided everyone an opportunity to stop and reflect. What else if there to do in amongst the “tier” chats and inevitable lockdowns?
In an ideal world, this would be a ‘top ten’ list.
But this isn’t an ideal world.
So below are our ‘top nine’ learnings we’ve gathered over the past year and the lessons we will try to take with us in the future.
RESPECT FOR EVERYONE’S SITUATION
Despite the argument of ‘who had it worse?’, it’s been tough for everyone, in one way or another. Whether you were working on your furlough tan, working like a dog (terrified you’d lose your job) or juggling work, whilst home-schooling your children. No one ‘wins’ the debate, it’s all relative.
You are allowed to pine for the life you had before, whilst still respecting what others are going through. Everyone can agree that the key workers and frontline staff are blo*dy superstars, but you are still allowed to have a moan and a little cry if you haven’t had a haircut in five months (and yes, that did happen).
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
With many people’s ‘offices’ now next door to their bedrooms (or indeed in their bedrooms), it has never been more important to maintain a work/life balance. We all need to do our best to ‘switch off’ at the end of the day. Just because you’re restricted on when and where you can go, doesn’t mean you should be ‘on’ at all times. You need to stop to eat, make a coffee, go out for a walk and if applicable, care for your children. None of us can forget, how we laughed when Professor Robert Kelly’s children decided to join him during a live BBC News broadcast but three years later, that’s a very real (and accepted) daily routine.
STOP AND LIVE IN THE NOW
We have all been forced to stop and slow down. And one thing is for sure, you can’t plan long term. Who knows where we’ll be in a month, let alone a year. The more methodical of us have had to (quickly) adapt to the here and now and embrace the challenges, day to day.
TAKE CHANCES
2020 is the year for taking chances and raising like a phoenix from the ashes. Some of those chances will work out, some won’t. But at least you can say you’ve tried. When we announced the launch of Lemon Lane, we had an overwhelming response of congratulations and support, but the word ‘brave’ was thrown out a couple of times. Has it been hard? Yes. Have we wanted to give up multiple times along the way? Yes. Have we? No. We keep going because it’s what we’re passionate about and we love what we do. And no global pandemic can take that away from us.
EMBRACE CHANGE
Regardless of what industry you are in, you will have had to adapt and develop an entirely new skillset. For events…we’re now all working our hardest to be TV Producers (aka running virtual events). Change brings with it a high level of uncertainty and many shy away due to the perceived risk. But to strive in your field, particularly in 2020, you must embrace it and adopt a multi-hyphen approach. Whilst we have embraced virtual events wholeheartedly, we also know that people are longing for face-to-face events to return and for social interaction again. So yes, embrace change, but know that sometimes the oldies are the goodies.
ASK FOR HELP
As mentioned above, it isn’t a competition of ‘who’s had it worse’. You can be sat alone, drowning your sorrows over a bottle glass of wine or, surrounded by your family and still feel painfully alone. This isn’t a self-help article by any means, but a reminder that you’re not alone. Everyone can have days where they feel helpless and sad. Not every day can be sunshine and rainbows. You’re allowed to moan, and you’re allowed to cry. But ask for help if you need it. Or just ring a friend for a quick chat. The value of human interaction has never been more prevalent and whoever you choose to speak to, there is no doubt they have felt the same at some stage along the way.
DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?
After the initial panic buying of March (toilet roll anyone?) and given the drastic changes in circumstances, it’s now a question of “do I really need it?” Many have lost jobs, taken pay cuts and so creativity (particularly in the kitchen) is soaring. It’s amazing what you can rustle up with some long-forgotten couscous and chopped tomatoes. And ‘luxury’ items are just that. A luxury. The question of “do I really need it?” has been uttered several thousand times this year. Sometimes, yes, you do need it, but not always. Self control is key.
YOUR ZOOM CAPABILITY
Nothing more to add here other than “you’re on mute” and “can you see my screen?”. As long as you know those phrases, you’ll be just fine.
HOPE AND FOCUS ON THE POSITIVITY
The news of the first wave of vaccinations is possibly the best gift any of us could get this Christmas and really does bring a new (and much needed) surge of hope. Continue to try your hardest to keep your positive hat on. Things will get better.
And you know what? You made it through 2020. Maybe you didn’t learn an instrument, a language or get to know yourself better. But you did make it through 2020 and for that you succeeded this year. 2021 will be better.
Not everyone agrees on the new rules for the festive period, but whatever you choose to do, stay safe, and (if you can) be with your loved ones (socially distanced…of course). We will see you in 2021.
Love, Lemon Lane x
